Drapery rod or the like



g- 15, 1932- w. c. KENNEY 1,871,796

DRAPERY ROD OR THE LIKE Filed April 15, 1931 v Dwenior mlllazn GEE-zany fliiorugy FACT'URING COMPANY, OF CRANSTON,

Patented Aug. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES.

' AT EO F CE WILLIAM C. KENNEY, OF CRANSTON, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR T0 KENNEY' MANU- 7 ISLAND RHODE ISLAND, A, CORPORATION or RHODEV DRAPERY'ROD on TH LIKE.

Application filed April 15,

This invention relates to sectional curtainrods of the telescopic type in which a telescopic coupling member detachably connects the complemental rod sections whereby the rod is assembled asa self-contained unit which may be adjusted, within limits," for any desired] width of opening to be ourtained.

More particularly this'invention relates to v a rod assembly of this type wherein both the rod sections and the telescopic coupling member are of generally U-shapedcross section and each bears a repeated. surface pattern.

With such a rod assembly, it is essential that the effect of continuous and unbroken alinement of pattern shall be preserved for the entire length of the rod, regardless of variations in cross-sectional depth of the several units, due to their telescopic engagement, for unless such alinement effect ofthe pattern is preserved, the appearance of the rod is spoiled. Obviously if the pattern, particularly where such pattern is a straight line pattern applied to the several units of the vrod from end to end thereof, gives the impression of being uneven or out of line in different areas of the rod, the beauty of the rod is lost. It is of the utmost importance therefore that the efiect shall not be one of interruption, with the pattern of one rod unit out of alinement with the pattern of the next rod unit which it is supposed to join and complete.

As illustrative of the principles involved, I show in the accompanying drawing a sectional telescopic rod of new structure and result.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating an applied position of my new rod.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective showing my novel telescopic coupling member inserted into one of the rod sections.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of said coupling member, removed.

Figs. 4 and 5 are cross sections on the lines 4=-l and 55, respectively, of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an elevation, partly in longitudinal section, of the coupllng member shown in Fig. 3, and particularly illustrating how 1 931.-*Serial a.. 53 ,231.

the effect ofl coiitinuous unbroken pattern alinement is preserved even in areas of-the coupllng-member of different cross sectional depth, and v i i i Figs. 7. and 8. are. cross sections on the lines 7 7 and 8-8, respectively, of Fig. and illustrating such variations in cross-sectional depth. i

I have indicated at A and :Ba pairof telescopic rod sectionsand at C a telescopic coupling member interposed therebetween and frictionally connecting the same.

All ofsaid units preferably beara repeated surface pattern, indicated at D, in'Fig. v 6,

As contemplatedherein, the members 'A, 1:!

B and G are ofgenerally U-shaped cross seetion, each presenting a top portion 1, preferably but not necessarily arched, and connectinga pair of spaced substantially; vertical rfront and rear portions 2 which-termi:

natein relatively shortfupturned inwardly extending flanges 3 spaced apart from each other as at 4, the free edges of which. afford smooth and even rails or tracks for atraverse (not shown) if the rod is usedfor this purpose.

',This'combination of connecting topwall andspaced depending frontand rearwalls aii'd'inturned'fianged edges at the lower ends I of said side walls affords arod construction ofm'aximum strengthand rigidity.

According to the presentdisclosure, the o terendbf each rod section A and Bis formed as an elbow adapted to be mounted by anysuitable mounting upon supports E, 1-;

which for the purposes ofthis application maybe considered as being the side casings of a window or door." Thislshowing, how.- ever, i's. purely illustrative since thefouter ends or "said rodsections may be straight, if desired,v depending upon the particular use towhich therodis to'bepu't. v

.The inner end of each rod' sectionjAand B is adapted for quickdetachable engagement withthe ends of the interpjjosedi coupling member 0. Such engagementis a telescopic frictional engagement, and as here shown, the inner end of section A telescopes into one end 0 of coupling C and the opposite end C of said coupling telescopes into the inner end of section B. V I

For this purpose, the end 0 of said coupling C is of reduced, cross-sectional depth as compared with the end C (see Figs. 3, 6 and 8). i

, In order to prevent such variation in cross.

sectional depth in different areas of the same unit C from destroying the alinement of the pattern D in said areas and thus producing a broken or staggered effect, I- have deliberately avoided any crowding'in-ofthemetal at the point C where the cross sectional depths depart from uniformity. V v h The reduction in cross sectional depth of the area C relative to'the area C is 3.000111 plished during the formation of the tube 0 by incorporating in such area C an element for the ta'ke-up'of surplus metal. Such element may'conveniently be a channel bead 5 extending longitudinally of the top mu 1 of said member, and such bead functions both toabsorb such surplus metal as well as to strengthen and stiffen the tube Q in this area. In addition to providing such chan nel bea'dI also trim off a slight amount ofthe metal of the, flanges 3 before the member 0 is .of the coupling member adjacent its end areas.

2-. A sectional-curtain rod as claimed in claim 1 wherein the compensating formation of the coupling member is a channel bead extending lon tudinally of the area of reduced depth 0 said coupling member. 3.A sectional curtain rod as claimed in 1' wherein both the'end sections of the rod and the coupling member are substantially U-shaped incross section, and wherein the compensating formation of the. coupling member is a channel bead extending longitudinally of the top wall portion of the area ofredu'c'e'd depth of saidcoupling member.

In testimo'ny whe'reof I afiix my signature.

C. KENNEY.

drawn into tube form. This insures that the V flanges 3 of the member C will be the same height as those of the members A and B.

The continuity of pattern is thus preserved throughout the entire length of the member C (as clearly illustrated in Fig.6).

The fit of the'member C within the rod section B is a close friction fit, due to the fact that the portion C grad'ually tapers to that point C The fit of rod section A over said member 0 is a fairly. easy fit soth'atsection A may be readily telescoped onto and off member C without injuring the enamel or other attractivefinish of the parts.

i It will be understood that the inner ends of rod sections and B are of the proper cross sectional depth to telescopically engage one another in the event that the mem berC is omitted. i i

" Various modifications in the construction and design of'my device, may obviously be resorted to if within the spirit and "scope 'of my invention as defined by the appended m 1 I a What I therefore claim and desire'to secure by Letters Patent is: t

1. A sectionalcurtain rod, comprisinga i pair of endjsectlonsand an intermediate coupling member telescopically engageable withsaid end sections,said coupling member and both of said end'sections bearing similar 7 patternv fragments which when the several parts of the rod'are assembled together form a; complete pattern, said coupling"member presenting adjacent its ends areas of varyf 

